30A Communities

Alys Beach, one of the newest communities along 30A, stops visitors in their tracks for a second look. A bit Bermuda and a bit Antigua, the town brings to life white stuccoed walls and uniquely ridged roof tops. Guests are priviledged to experience the most strking and elaborate swimming pool on 30A, the Caliza Pool which includes a 50′ X 100′ saltwater pool, a separate family pool, a spa whirlpool, a lap pool, and secluded cabanas.

While still in the early stages of development, visitors to Alys Beach currently enjoy the Fontville Press for meals and magazines prior to stolling the community.

Blue Mountain Beach was named for the Gulf Coast lupine which covered the sand dunes in blue leaves and flowers. At an elevation of on 345 feet, Blue Mountain Beach’s tall sand dunes and many coastal lakes make it one of the lovliest areas on 30A. The Blue Mountain Regional Beach Access just south of 30A and CR 83 is a popular place for surfers and those who simply want to watch.

Previously an area of little development and primarily small beach homes, Blue Mountain Beach is now home to several large developments, including Red Fish Village. There you’ll find a piano bar, a coffee/juice bar, and several restaurants.

Dune Allen Beach is primarily a residential community made up of beach homes and cottages. The highlights of Dune Allen Beach include its handicapped accessible beach access with restrooms located on County Highway 30-A and the coastal lakes, including Stallworth and Oyster Lake.

The recreational trail and bike path along 30A stretches throughout Dune Allen Beach, including several extensions that meander through adjacent areas in the Beaches of South Walton. Located along the Western end of 30A, Dune Allen Beach is a terrific location for experiencing the solitude of the 30A gulf beaches without being too far from Destin.

Grayton Beach, a small, historic beach village, was the first community established along scenic 30A. Next to a large coastal lake, towering sand dunes, Grayton Beach State Park, and the Gulf of Mexico, Grayton Beach offers an electic mix of people and surroundings. Here you’ll find modern, deluxe vacation homes next to two-room rustic cottages. Grayton Beach loyalists swear by the town’s natural beauty, wide beaches, laid back lifestyle, great restaurants, and colorful people.

Favorite diversions in Grayton Beach include kayaking Western Lake, dinner at the Red Bar, gorgeous sunset picnics, fishing, surfing, shopping, and people watching.

Rosemary Beach visitors are immediately enveloped by the unique architecture and Caribbean feel of the community. Named for the dune rosemary, Rosemary Beach was established in 1995 and has quickly become a favorite of visitors and locals alike. In addition to the beautiful beaches, guests enjoy deluxe accomodations, private beach accesses, private indoor and outdoor pools, fitness center, and tennis club.

Rosemary Beach Town Center offers shopping, restaurants, coffee, ice cream, bike rentals, and more. Be sure to stroll the peaceful boardwalks and footpaths while exploring this beautiful community of unusual architecure in serene colors.

Santa Rosa Beach along 30A is home to Ed Walline Park, Gulf Place, and the Santa Rosa Golf Club. Ed Walline Park along the Gulf of Mexico offers a gorgeous beach and a large parking lot, picnic area, restrooms, showers, and a handicapped accessible beach access.

You’ll also find the Gulf Place development, home to a variety of accomodations, restaurants, ice cream, coffee, shopping, bike rentals, local artists, and more. Nearby is the Santa Rosa Golf Club with 18 challenging golf holes that wind through the 30A area and offer views of lush vegetation, tranquil ponds, and the Gulf of Mexico.

Seacrest is home to the beautiful Camp Creek Lake, a coastal dune lake typically exiting into the Gulf of Mexico. Here you’ll find large sand dunes and a variety of wildlife, including many unusual wading birds in the marshlands. Kayakers and canoers can often be spotted enjoying a tranquil paddle on the lake.

Seacrest is also home to the Seacrest Beach community, which boasts one of the largest swimming pools in the area, complete with several cascading waterfalls. The area is also known for the interactive dancing fountain at The Village of South Walton development, a favorite of area children.

Seagrove Beach became popular in the 1940s and 1950s as an escape from the heat. Cooled by the constant gulf breezes and paddle fans, families spent lazy summers in cozy single-story cottages.

Today, the modest cottages have welcomed luxrious beach homes and condominiums. Seagrove Beach is now known for its variety of accomodations, clean public beach accesses – one handicapped accessible, tranquil Eastern Lake, and great restaurants. Seagrove Beach is a popular location for bike and kayak rentals, with several shops available to enjoy the 18-mile 30A bike path and tranquil gulf waters.

Seaside is a community of narrow shaded streets, white picket fences, and colorful victorian homes. Founded by Robert Davis on land that he had inherited from his grandfather, Seaside is often cited as the first New Urbanist development. As seen in the movie “The Truman Show”, visitors to Seaside enjoy private beach accesses, private swimming pools, and quiet streets for strolling the unique Seaside architecure.

Seaside’s walkable downtown contains a market, a post office, a coffee house, art galleries, restaurants, ice cream shops, and quaint boutiques. Keep an eye out for the many surrey bikes, which are rented near Cinderella Circle.

Watercolor offers an inn, a resort, and a planned community of picturesque homes along the Gulf of Mexico. Watercolor is renowned for its coastal architecture, beautiful landscaping, and abundant amenities. Guests staying at Watercolor enjoy access to a gulf-front private beach club, boat rentals, swimming pools, tennis club, Camp Watercolor, walking trails, and numerous other amenities.

Watercolor’s downtown offers everything from french pastries to fly-fishing. Enjoying a morning cup of coffee while watching the world go by along 30A is favorite pastime here. Just don’t forget your newspaper and grab a seat early.

Watersound Beach is a gated, gult-front community among pristine sand dunes, peaceful coastal lakes, and natural marsh lands. Watersound, towards the eastern end of 30A, offers a peaceful escape in deluxe accomodations. The resort offers condos, townhomes, and single family residences. Many elevated boardwalks snake through the property on their way to the beach, offering the perfect spot for a sunset stroll.

All Watersound guests have access to swimming pools, beaches, lakes, trails, a post office, and a small cafe. Deer Lake State Park is just to the west of Watersound.

About Us

Travel30A.com is a travel guide for the Beaches of South Walton, Florida, and the communities along scenic highway 30-A.